Pregame: Illinois vs Indiana, Thursday, February 7th, 6:00pm CT, ESPN

[Dan]

Originally Posted by troydove

When did we last lose 5 in a row at home?????

* rubs eyes *

Best I can tell, it was coach Harv Schmidt's final season, 1973-74, a 5-game home losing streak- the only 5-game home losing streak in Illini basketball history.



Although the record book says 4-game home losing steaks (multiple times) is the record.

I don't know. Either way, beat Indiana.

[BoolahBoolah]

Excellent! Another dubious distinction for this senior class, on top of never beating Mizzou or Purdue.

Top notch, top notch.

[FeelYourPaign]

Originally Posted by BoolahBoolah

Excellent! Another dubious distinction for this senior class, on top of never beating Mizzou or Purdue.

Top notch, top notch.

Sick, just sick.

[PointGuardU01]

Originally Posted by Dan

* rubs eyes *

Best I can tell, it was coach Harv Schmidt's final season, 1973-74, a 5-game home losing streak- the only 5-game home losing streak in Illini basketball history.



Although the record book says 4-game home losing steaks (multiple times) is the record.

I don't know. Either way, beat Indiana.

And we think this year's team is poor on defense...not good, Harv, not good.

[FeelYourPaign]

Originally Posted by Dan

* rubs eyes *

Best I can tell, it was coach Harv Schmidt's final season, 1973-74, a 5-game home losing streak- the only 5-game home losing streak in Illini basketball history.



Although the record book says 4-game home losing steaks (multiple times) is the record.

I don't know. Either way, beat Indiana.

I started at Illinois in Fall of '74.
Got my official program for the first home game of the season and for some reason (still no idea why) they put the Illinois results and final position in the Big Ten on the back cover of the program. For 50 years, there was only 1 year when Illinois finished 10th. You guessed it, Harv's final year, 73-74. So, I sat there, a new freshman, thinking "it is going to be 50 years before this piece of ##*$*@ season is erased from the back cover".

Yes, I would easily believe that was the last time we played this badly at home.

[CardiacIllini3]

Option 1: Illini 77
Creans 74

Option 2: Illini 63
Creans 78

[troydove]

If we lose to IU, coming up next is Purdue at home. Don't they have 8 in a row over us? That would set all time record with another lose to Purdue!

Wow, 6 in a row at home, never been done before! SAY it's not SO

Someone put a spell on those Indiana teams, double vision will work

[radiodj]

Originally Posted by troydove

When did we last lose 5 in a row at home?????

My mistake. I should have clarified that a loss later tonight would be 5 straight losses at home.

[troydove]

And a lose to Purdue would be 6 straight at home and 9 straight to Purdue 4 years since we beat them ? or 5

[radiodj]

Originally Posted by troydove

And a lose to Purdue would be 6 straight at home and 9 straight to Purdue 4 years since we beat them ? or 5

4 years and a few months. December 30th 2008. It was a 71-67 win in OT at Mackdy I believe.

[BoolahBoolah]

Originally Posted by radiodj

4 years and a few months. December 30th 2008. It was a 71-67 win in OT at Mackdy I believe.

Ironically, it was 1 of 2 games where Alex Legion had a discernible positive effect on the game. I was shocked we won that game.

I'm not sure I can handle the thought of that crapass Purdue team walking into Assembly Hall and winning. That team is honestly terrible. Note - Zoggle, I know we define terrible differently, so you don't need to write 3 paragraphs here on how they're not terrible. That is not a good basketball team.

[Bailey]

I want so badly to be optimistic. Then I think about Victor Oladipo gaurding Brandon Paul. LOL.

[lad919]

Victor will have 5 steals on BP before Brandon's had a chance to wipe the sleep out of his eyes.

[PointGuardU01]

Originally Posted by BoolahBoolah

Ironically, it was 1 of 2 games where Alex Legion had a discernible positive effect on the game. I was shocked we won that game.

I'm not sure I can handle the thought of that crapass Purdue team walking into Assembly Hall and winning. That team is honestly terrible. Note - Zoggle, I know we define terrible differently, so you don't need to write 3 paragraphs here on how they're not terrible. That is not a good basketball team.

You're right, Purdue isn't very good. Problem is they can point right back at us and say the same thing.

[Dan]

Illinois-Indiana: Defense key in crucial matchup

"They have size, depth, point guard play, drivers, shooters, they defend well and they play exceptionally hard," Groce said Wednesday. "When you look at them, they are as good a team as we've played all season. I think Victor Oladipo is the best individual defender we've seen."

Tupper

Childhood memories now in play for John Groce

"When I watched Big Ten basketball when I was younger, I rooted for Indiana," Groce said. "Grandma was a fan. All of us kids followed grandma's lead. There's where it all started."

Supinie

Paul understands why he came off bench

"Brandon knows what he has to do. Everyone (says) it's mind games, trying to motivate him. It ain't about mind games; do what we're supposed to do defensively," Groce said. "Guys that do are going to get the first crack; we're not playing mind games. Brandon's 20-something years old. He's been through a lot. Guard."

Groce declined to say whether Joseph Bertrand, who started in place of Paul, would start Thursday when top-ranked Indiana visits (6 p.m., ESPN).

Marcus Jackson

[Botb9]

Groce doesn't mince words, certainly. I think we can all put it succinctly like that. Guard someone!

[Future Walk-On]

Man Bradley put up 105 on the Illini

[FinalFour88]

Originally Posted by BoolahBoolah

Excellent! Another dubious distinction for this senior class, on top of never beating Mizzou or Purdue.

Top notch, top notch.

Not to mention, the '09 class has a 27-36 record in the Big Ten so far. Remember how high our hopes were with DJ, Paul, Bertrand and Griffey coming in? They were going to be way better than McCamey, Tisdale, Davis and Cole. And then they weren't.

[CrazedUIFan]

This game will be summed up by two words...Victor Oladipo

We have no one that can handle him on either end of the court. Ever since I watched him play as a freshman, there was no doubt this kid was going to be very, very good. I really hope I'm wrong tonight.

[orange julius]

While it benefits recruiting, our style of play is not conducive to an upset tonight. Sad to say, we probably would have a much better chance of an upset if Bruce Weber were the coach.

When you are vastly out-talented at every position, you want to keep possessions to a minimum, and work for a good shot late in the shot clock. Then you need to get lucky and shoot a much better percentage than normal, while Indiana shoots poorly. Unfortunately, we will probably be firing up mostly long distance shots early in the shot clock, and that will result in more possessions over the course of the game. More possessions equals less of a chance that we can out-shoot them, as they are far more talented shooters. Plus, our long distance misses and poor ball handling will give Indiana run out opportunities, which is the last thing we want.

I expect a continuation of the dunk-a-thon held by Minnesota and Michigan on our home Court. Please, let me be wrong, because this is hard to watch.

[Psycho 86]

Im sportin the blue and orange here at work in Indianapolis !! Give em hell boys !! GO ILLINI !!

[mattcoldagelli]

Originally Posted by BoolahBoolah

Note - Zoggle, I know we define terrible differently, so you don't need to write 3 paragraphs here on how they're not terrible. That is not a good basketball team.

:laugh:

[Big Jack]

Originally Posted by FinalFour88

Not to mention, the '09 class has a 27-36 record in the Big Ten so far. Remember how high our hopes were with DJ, Paul, Bertrand and Griffey coming in? They were going to be way better than McCamey, Tisdale, Davis and Cole. And then they weren't.

Uh Uh mm gulp

[Dan]

I can't wait to see how we do (or do not) getting back on defense.

[Big Jack]

Originally Posted by Dan

I can't wait to see how we do (or do not) getting back on defense.

Maybe we can just station someone at the top of their key all game and just play with 4 on offense.. just chuck up 3 pointers all night by the boat load..